Sorry for the long wait on this chapter everyone, work has been pretty chaotic for me in the last 2 weeks though it shouldn't be a problem any longer.
I want to thank everyone who went out of their way to review my last chapter and I only ask that you do the same with this one!
Now, while you are reading this chapter, if there is anything that has been changed from the Cannon please just roll with it.
It should be known right now that I'm not all that good with all of the lovey-dovey stuff when it comes to writing. If you feel I'm moving things to quickly or they make little sense, PLEASE tell me.
Now, on with the chapter! And remember, please leave a review detailing what you liked or didn't like about the chapter after you've taken the time to read it.
The night sky suddenly exploded with light. Crackling energy contrails vaporising the air molecules that surrounded them, their deaths signified by a misty haze of dull orange luminescence.
The cloud cover above the frozen tundra had long since been burned away, allowing the light of the full moon to illuminate a wide circle of ice, in the centre stood Naruto.
Despite the extreme temperatures sweat glistened over his exposed body. He was only wearing a plain pair of navy-blue pants and white-fur trimmed winter boots. His right arm was extended upwards to the night sky, his fist clenched save for his index and middle finger.
He had been at it since sundown, testing his endurance. Over the past three months he had been pushing his body to its limits, reaching and far surpassing his old physical peak.
Compared to his usual training, Lightning Generation was incredibly taxing, the energy and concentration required to perform the art safely was immense.
Granted it was getting easier by the day. During the day he was more than happy to train his Firebending to its fullest but his skill with Lightning was something he preferred to do alone.
It often proved difficult to leave the compound at night to practice, Korra had seen to that. Two weeks after he began his nightly training sessions the girl had somehow noticed his habitual absence and had taken it upon herself to attempt tailing him.
From then on it became a game of cat-and-mouse between the two, one attempting to escape whilst the other sought to stop or join them.
Tonight had been one such night and though it didn't happen very often, Korra had managed to corner him moments before he made to scale the compound wall. Much the same as always she near enough demanded that he take her with her, wherever it was he was going.
Naruto smiled at the thought. He and Korra had become quick friends, much to the ire of the White Lotus sentries. She had been an easy convert to the way of pranking. Managing to turn the entirety of the bath house water supply to an icy cold deluge was one of Naruto's personal favourites.
It was clear the Korra thoroughly enjoyed the company of someone her own age, much the same as Naruto did.
Tonight Naruto had relented. At the edge of the light circle stood Korra, bundled up in her thick winter jumper, a wide smile on her face.
"That's so cool!" she exclaimed as she rushed towards him. "Is that what you've been sneaking off every night to do?" she asked causing Naruto to chuckle softly.
"Yeah, I've been trying to get the technique down for a while now. It's just too dangerous to be shooting off lightning around the compound when I'm not exactly a master of it yet." he said.
"Looks pretty good to me." she said, her hands linked behind her back. "So…"
"So what?" asked Naruto as he leaned down to retrieve his coat from the cold ground.
"How about you show me how it's done." said Korra. Naruto pulled his top over his head before looking her in the eyes for a short moment.
"Nah." he said nonchalantly before turning away and walking back in the direction of the compound. Korra spluttered in indignation before running off after him.
"What? Why not?" she said as she pouted slightly, a manoeuvre that usually succeeded in making Naruto fold. Naruto couldn't keep a straight face any longer and burst out laughing.
"Of course I'll teach you," he said causing a wide smile to break out on Korra's face, "Just not now." he finished and Korra almost fell face first into the snow.
"Aw come on! When?" she asked.
"When you can finally beat me in a spar." he said simply, baiting Korra. He knew she was more than a little upset that she'd never been able to successfully defeat him in a spar since he started training with her. He was simply too fast and agile for her to land a solid hit.
Naruto took a glance out of the corner of his eye, smirking as he noticed the childish pout of anger on Korra's face. He almost laughed; she just made it too easy.
"Besides," he started, "I doubt you're a good enough Firebender to do it in the first place." he was rewarded almost immediately as he saw her face turn sour.
"Come on, I'm the Avatar, of course I can do It." she almost shouted at him.
Naruto smirked, 'Just one more push.' he thought.
"Ah let me guess," he said as he moved himself into a dramatic pose, his legs spread wide and one first raised high into the air. "You're the Avatar and I've gotta' deal with it!" he shouted loudly, remembering one of the funnier stories Senna had told him of Korra's childhood.
Naruto didn't even attempt to dodge the veritable avalanche of snow that Korra covered him with.
"I should have never let you talk to my mother." she said, her face a bright red. "I was four, besides, it's not even that funny." said Korra as she folded her arms and looked away from Naruto who was only now climbing out of the snow piled on top of him.
"Come on, it was a little funny." said Naruto. A moment passed before Korra turned to look back at Naruto and his ear-to-ear grin. Her stoicism lasted only a brief few seconds before she burst out laughing followed closely by Naruto.
Their laughter abated after a few moments and though he didn't want the night to end just yet he also knew that they had to be getting back.
"Let's go," he said, "We'd best be back in our beds before the Sun rises, you know how angry Master Jin gets if we're not on time." Korra only nodded and fell in beside him.
Before long the distinct shape of the compound walls came into view. A thought took hold in his mind, one that had been itching to release itself for the past few weeks. Korra had, for all intents and purposes, become Naruto's best friend in the past three months; she deserved at least a little honesty from him.
"Before we head inside there's something I want to show you." he said earning a confused nod from Korra. She had known him long enough to know when he was at least trying to act with some measure of seriousness, now was one such time.
Naruto lead her up and behind the compound itself, up on to the ice drift that made up the rear wall of the White Lotus base. He site on the edge, his legs dangling in free air, and gestured for her to do the same.
"I can trust you right Korra?" asked Naruto after a few moments of silence.
"Of course," said Korra, "You should know that much by now. I've got your back." Naruto sighed softly.
"Well then, I have a rather important secret to tell you." he said. "All I ask is that you don't tell anyone about what I'm about to tell you."
Korra began to feel more than a little worried. She had known Naruto for close to three months. She had trained with him, ate with him and gotten into plenty of trouble with him but she had never once seen him act so serious.
"I promise Naruto, you can tell me anything you know that." she said reassuringly. Naruto enjoyed the moment of silence a little longer before finally breaking the silence.
"I'm a Firebender." he said, not making eye contact with her. Korra wanted nothing more than to hit him, as hard as she could. Some part of her knew that it was all some stupid joke meant to scare her.
"I know that you idiot. You had me worried there for a second, acting all serious." she said, punching his should half-heartedly. Naruto didn't even flinch, still not looking at her. He took a deep breath before standing up, Korra's eyes following him the entire time.
"And an Airbender." he finished.
"Wait, what?" was the very eloquent response from Korra before Naruto stepped forward and over the edge of the four story drop to the compound below. Her mind screamed at her to move, to help him, but she was too late. He was already out of her reach.
A terrifyingly slow moment passed before she saw it. Visible air currents flowed around Naruto's waist and legs, slowing his descent considerably. Korra didn't know what to think.
All her life she had been taught that only her, only the Avatar, could be more than a single element. Yet here was Naruto, her new blonde Firebending friend, doing what she thought impossible.
He was Airbending. She was ashamed to admit that some small part of her was more than a little angry at him, not just because he hadn't told her earlier, but because he could do what she couldn't.
She had tried and tried to produce some small measure of Airbending to no avail and here Naruto was making it look easy yet again.
When she returned her attention to Naruto she noticed that he had already reached the ground safely. He was looking back up at her, his face sad and apologetic. He stared up at her for a short moment longer before quickly making his way back to his own house and away from Korra's sight.
The next morning had been met with more than a few audible outbursts directed solely at Naruto. Most that saw the two arguing teens looked on with bewilderment, though a select few of the younger members of the White Lotus sniggered amongst themselves at the scene.
The morning's early training drills were particularly harsh for Naruto. Fuelled by her emotions, Korra's attacks were much stronger than usual and Naruto hard pressed to avoid injury.
Korra had kept her word though, something Naruto was extremely grateful for. No one else had been informed of Naruto's unique situation.
At the end of the day, in an attempt to make amends with Korra, Naruto offered to 'try' and tutor her in everything he knew of Airbending, little as it was. It seemed to work. Korra's scowl eventually made its way back to a smile.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, but I hope you can understand that it isn't something I was looking forward to telling anyone. If people knew what I could do…" he said, leaving his point open to interpretation.
"There a people that would hunt me down, just for my ability." he continued, not giving Korra a chance to speak. "That's why I joined the White Lotus, Political Immunity. It should help keep most of those kinds of people off my back if the World ever finds out about me.
Korra looked away slightly, refusing to look him in the eyes.
"Is that the only reason you joined?" she asked, her voice almost a whisper. For a moment Naruto didn't understand exactly what she had meant, he almost froze when her intent. He wasn't quite sure how to react at first, a brief moment of awkward silence passing between them before Naruto finally plucked up the courage to speak.
"Of course not." he said and only then did Korra look back up at him. "I wanted to meet the Avatar. I didn't know who you were or what you were like but that didn't matter to me. I achieved that goal, I didn't just find the Avatar, I found a friend." he explained, his voice trailing off slightly towards the end.
Naruto could see the beginnings of what appeared to be a blush creeping its way onto Korra's cheeks and quickly decided to defuse the situation.
"Now, enough of all this sappy talk, we'd best get some sleep. Your real training starts tomorrow. It's going to take a while to get the idea of Airbending through that thick skull of yours." he said as he laughed at Korra's mildly angry face.
Dodging a strong right hook aimed for his arm, Naruto darted away from Korra's reach and towards his hut, laughing the whole way with Korra hot on his heels.
It was then that Naruto decided, no matter what happened in the future, these were the memories that he would cherish the most.
Days turned into weeks and still Korra was no closer to Airbending than she had been before Naruto had taken to training her. No matter what method he tried, his teaching wouldn't stick.
Korra was all about pure physicality and it reflected in her bending style. On the other hand, Airbending focused on spirituality and balance, something Korra was not yet ready for it seemed.
She had of course been upset with herself, thinking that she was a horrible Avatar; Naruto had set her straight almost immediately.
He was no master; he only knew a handful of small tricks and was not qualified to teach anyone despite his eagerness to help Korra.
Naruto had assured her that as soon as her Firebending training was complete she would be able to go to Republic City and train with Tenzin, a true Airbending master.
He only hoped that he would be allowed to go with her. He had not told anyone else of his secret but he knew that if he was to ever master the element of Air, he would have to reveal himself to Tenzin.
Three months had passed since Korra discovered his Airbending and those three months were more than enough time for Naruto to realise something. As much as he didn't want to admit it, he was sure that he had developed feelings for Korra, something he had wanted to avoid.
Naruto had never had the best of luck with the opposite sex. His first crush had, at the time, hated him. The first girl that he had loved, he sadly had to admit that it would never come to pass. Naruto had no way to return to her and he had come to terms with that close to a year ago.
The rational part of his mind told him that his budding feelings for Korra were not something he should avoid but he also didn't want to get hurt again, twice was more than enough he thought.
The attraction wasn't hard to understand, Korra was certainly a beautiful young woman as well as kind and more than a little mischievous.
Naruto pushed the thoughts from his mind as he watched the girl in question prepare herself to face no less than three seasoned Firebenders. Over her usual attire she wore a red padded and fire-proof training outfit.
Today was the day of Korra's final Firebending test, designed to see if she was ready to finally move on to her Airbending training with Tenzin.
Naruto watched from atop the roof of the viewer's stand of the main training ground, his legs dangling over the edge. Bellow him he knew he would find many of the senior White Lotus members, the people who had assisted in Korra's Firebending training.
He knew Katara would be there as well, the kind old woman who had taken it upon herself to heal any and all of the injuries he sustained after some of his more 'taxing' training sessions.
Naruto smiled as he looked down on the three Firebenders as they circled Korra slowly.
They didn't stand a chance.
The short man that had moved behind her was the first to attack, opening with three quick jabs of fire obviously meant to put Korra of balance right from the get go. Suffice to say, it didn't work.
Korra doges the attacks with ease before bringing her left leg up and spinning on the ball of her right foot with great speed. The resulting crescent of fire took the unprepared man by surprise, the force of the attack sending him sliding off the edge of the training ground.
The remaining two Firebenders, obviously more cautious than their counterpart, chose to each send a single focused burst of flame in tandem, hoping that the combined power of their attack's would be enough.
Korra's form was engulfed in flame for a brief moment before the fire began to dissipate. Korra stood with her legs outstretched, her arms moving in a circular motion with fluid grace. It was a technique that Naruto had taught her and one that he himself had taken from watching the sun warriors.
The technique itself was designed to use and control the opponent's fire, eliminating the need to dodge or overpower the attack.
Smirking, Korra took a battle-ready pose, a confident smile plastered across her face as she stared down her attackers.
Both Firebenders took off at a run, each moving in a different direction. One man chose to attack whilst charging Korra down. His attacks were dodged easily by Korra who displayed her rather impressive agility before she advanced towards the man, meeting his charge.
At the last moment he jumped, kicking his leg forward and sending a bright arc of fire towards Korra.
She rolled under the attack and at the end of her roll she raised a leg high into the air, the heel of her boot caught her attacker's foot and sent him tumbling to the ground behind her.
The other Firebender, hoping to catch Korra unawares, attacked whilst he back was turned. Feeling the heat of the attack at the last second, Korra dodged the flames and let loose two quick but hard punches, catching the man in the stomach and sending him sprawling.
Both men recovered at nearly the same time and Korra was forced to fight a battle on two fronts. Dodging was no longer an option and she was forced to counter with blows of her own.
She slid her right foot across the ground towards the man behind her, a veritable wall of fire erupted from the ground, momentarily blinding him. Korra took full advantage of the slight reprieve.
She blocked one final strike from the man in front of her before she drew herself back and thrust both fists forward, a thick stream of flames shooting forward and striking the Firebender head on.
The attack sent him flying and Naruto was forced to duck as the man struck the roof little more than a metre above his head.
When Naruto returned his attention to the fight he saw the remaining Firebender running towards Korra, an arm held out in front of him spewing a constant torrent of flame, forming a massive fireball.
Without batting an eye Korra met the attack with a charge. Holding both arms forwards, her palms pressed together forming an arrow head, she pushed her way through the fireball with apparent ease.
Her opponent, not expecting such a rash move, was unable to react as she used his shoulder as a spring-board to launch herself up into the air.
Pivoting mid-air, Korra kicked out and broke the Firebender's guard with a quick attack before using much the same move she eliminated her second opponent with.
Her attack sent the man skidding across the training ground before he slumped to his knees, his training gear smoking and singed, before collapsing in defeat.
Korra remained composed for only a brief moment before throwing her hands into the air.
"Woo-Hoo!" she shouted at the top of her lungs before running up to stand in front of the viewer's stand. With a quick jump Naruto pushed off from the roof and landed beside her and raised a fist, a wide smile adorning his face.
Korra smiled brightly at him and bumped her own fist against his before turning her attention towards her White Lotus instructors, who in Naruto's opinion did not look too impressed. Though he did notice the warm smile on Katara's face.
"What's with all the doom and gloom people?" Korra asked as she tore her training helmet from her head, allowing her hair to fall free.
"We should be celebrating! Three elements down, one to go!" she declared confidently. Naruto was forced to roll his eyes in annoyance as he heard Korra's Firebending instruction sigh loudly.
"Once again, you're getting ahead of yourself Korra. We still haven't decided if you even passed your Firebending test yet." he said in his usual monotonous tone.
Typical, thought Naruto. Ever since he had joined the White Lotus and been given the task to guard and train with Korra, he had been astounded with just how much they sought to hold her back.
She was supposed to be the Avatar, but he knew in his heart that Korra would never be able to reach her full potential if they kept holding her back and basically trapped at the South Pole.
"We both know that Korra passed her test with flying colours Master Lei." announced Naruto, gaining more than a subdued glare from said Master.
"I think we all know that the only Firebender in this entire compound that Korra couldn't beat is Me." he said dramatically, beside him Korra nodding her head in agreement, not even looking at Naruto.
"Damn right Naru….Hey that's not true! I could totally beat you!" she shouted indignantly causing Naruto to laugh. A senior member of the White Lotus interrupted the pair before a fight broke out.
He had witnessed enough of the teen's arguments to know that a fight was the usual outcome after Naruto would jokingly call Korra out on the fact that he was indeed the superior when it came to the art of Firebending.
"Ever since you were young you have excelled at the physical side of Bending but completely ignored the spiritual side." he said and Naruto picked up on the kind disappointment in the man's tone.
Korra turned her attentions from Naruto and stared at the man with a blank look on her face.
"The Avatar must master both before they can be considered fully realised." finished the elderly man. Korra frowned a little.
"I haven't ignored it," she said defensively, "It just doesn't come as easily to me. That's why we-I mean I have to start training with Tenzin immediately, he's Mister Spiritual."
Naruto almost slap himself in the face. Korra her kept up her end of the bargain and hadn't told anyone about his Airebending, but she had on more than one occasion almost slipped up. She looked over at him briefly, a nervous smile on her face and Naruto could see her mouthing "I'm Sorry."
Naruto just smiled and shook his head.
The man sighed softly before turning to Katara.
"Do you believe she is ready Master Katara?" he asked and it was evident in his tone that he was fully expecting her to back him up.
"Yes." said Katara with finality. "If anyone will be able to teach Korra what she needs to learn, it's my son."
A brief moment passed between the White Lotus elders present as they passed brief glances between one another before nodding slightly.
"Very well Korra, it's time for you to begin your Airbending training." said the elder somewhat reluctantly. Korra jumped high into the air, throwing her headgear away in the process.
"Yes!" she shouted before enveloping Naruto in a crushing hug. "Finally!" It took Korra a brief moment to realise what she had just done. She looked up into the face of a slightly shocked Naruto and blushed as she disentangled herself from him before looking back to the elders, all of which did not appear impressed with the display.
She took a moment to compose herself before bowing respectfully.
"Uh, I mean thank you all for uh, believing in Me." she said before grabbing hold of Naruto and pulling him away.
Naruto soon found himself being pulled down a short flight of icy stairs into what he had come to call "The Den". Korra barged her way through the large wooden gate at the bottom and threw herself onto a large mass of white in the centre of the circular enclosure.
"You should have seen it Naga!" she called out and her living bed moved, a huge furry head popping up and panting loudly. Of all the strange animals Naruto had studied that inhabited the world he had been a part of for a year, Naga the Polar Bear Dog had to be one of the least strange animal amalgamations.
He'd met Naga soon after he had met Korra. It seemed that she acted as Korra's friend and pet, as well as her favoured mode of transport. In his studies with Iroh, Naruto had learned that almost all of the past Avatar's had an animal guide. Perhaps Naga was Korra's?
"I totally wiped the floor with those Firebenders and passed the test. Tenzin will be here in a few days, and then Naruto and I can finally start our Airbending training." she said as she rubbed Naga's ears affectionately.
"You did well out there today. I even saw you use more than a few of my moves." he said with a sly smile, gaining Korra's attention. She looked up at him sheepishly.
"Well you never said I couldn't." she said causing Naruto to chuckle slightly.
"Even still, everything we practice together is on a whole other level compared to what those guys were using out there. They never stood a chance." he explained calmly. A small smile cracked on Korra's face.
"I know. Did you see their faces?" she asked, chuckling the whole time. Naruto tried his best to keep a hold of his stern expression but failed miserably in the face of her laughter.
"I suppose you want to go out for a ride today?" he asked after a short moment of laughter.
"Of course," said Korra as if the answer was obvious. "I came down here to get Naga saddled up. You coming?" she asked. Naruto only had to consider it for a moment.
Whenever they left the compound Korra always seemed to brighten up. Naruto knew she didn't like it there, always being coddled and having the White Lotus dictate her life.
If he was completely honest with himself, Naruto was more than a little disappointed with the White Lotus as he found it. The way Iroh had describe the order had been amazing, an organisation whose sole purpose was to bring balance, peace and love to the world.
He had heard how Avatar Aang had wished for the White Lotus to guide and protect any Avatar's after himself. Instead, it seemed that they were content with near enough imprisoning Korra until she met whatever crazy standards they were expecting.
Naruto knew that Korra needed to leave the South Pole and see the world; much like Aang had done in his youth. There wasn't much in the way of life lessons to be had sitting around in the snow after-all.
"Wouldn't miss it," he replied, "Where did you have in mind?"
"Wherever we feel like I guess." she answered with a shrug of her shoulders as she threw a simple leather saddle over Naga's back. With a practiced hand she fastened the remaining buckles and jump up onto he furry friend.
With a smile on his face, Naruto joined her, sitting behind her with his arms resting behind him as Naga made her way carefully up and out of The Den.
Within minutes they found themselves before the compounds gate. Looking up, Naruto could see a lone White Lotus sentry posted in the gate-house.
"Come on Lao, open 'er up!" he called up loudly as he recognised the man. Despite being a member of the Order, whenever he was seen with Korra in close company people tended to be on guard for anything "un-becoming of the Avatar" or some such nonsense.
"We won't be going far." said Korra in an attempt to win the sentry over. After a long moment the man shrugged and turned about, disappearing from sight. Soon after the gate began to rumble open and Korra sent Naga through the gap without a seconds delay.
Naga's long stride quickly took them away from the compound. Naruto caught a glimpse of two figures standing watch on an icy outcropping some two hundred metres away. He knew even without further inspection that they were White Lotus.
They always liked to keep an eye on Korra, even when she tried to leave the compound for 'alone time' as she liked to call it.
They rode in silence for long minutes before they finally arrived at Korra's usual haunt. Only metres ahead of them the ground simply vanished, dropping many metres to the icy waters below.
For as far as the eye could see the ocean dominated the view. The large golden orb of the sun was almost set, its shinning rays bounced off of the horizon, turning the sky a dark orange.
They both dismounted Naga, finally allowing her time to rest, and Korra was soon sitting on the edge of the glacier, her legs dangling over the side lazily. Naruto joined her, sitting down beside her in much the same fashion as she had before lying down.
He looked up and studied her for a moment before scrunching his face up in confusion.
"What's wrong?" he asked, "You look happy and scared all at the same time." Korra sighed in response.
"I am happy, happy that we'll finally get to leave this place and go to Republic City with Tenzin to learn Airbending." she said, her voice strangely soft. Naruto sat up and glanced over at Korra.
"Then why are you scared?" he asked. For a short moment Korra didn't answer, she simply started off towards the horizon.
"I'm scared that I won't be able to do it, that I'll be a failure as the Avatar." she explained. Naruto had rarely ever seen Korra this upset.
"Where's all this coming from?" he asked, genuinely confused.
"You've been trying to teach me Airbending for weeks now. What if I just can't do it? I'd literally be the worst Avatar in history." she said as she drew her legs up and held her knees close to her chest.
Naruto almost laughed.
"Oh, is that all you're worried about?" he said nonchalantly. Korra's eyes darted over to look at him.
"Korra you shouldn't be worrying about any of this. I can barely Airbend myself, I'm really not the best person to try and teach you. Tenzin is the only true Airbending master in the world; I have no doubt in my mind that he'll be able to set everything straight." he explained as he placed a hand on Korra's shoulder.
"Besides," he said, "I truly believe that you have what it takes to become the greatest Avatar ever. All it'll take is some hard work." Naruto could see Korra's mood lighten almost immediately after his words. He watched as she slowly moved one of her hands and placed it over his.
She looked over a smiled at him, all bad thoughts forgotten.
"Thank you." she breathed out softly. Naruto chuckled lightly.
"Don't worry about it." he said and remained silent for a few moments longer, the two of them just staring off at the setting sun.
"Everything is going to change soon Korra. That's a promise of a lifetime."
Three days passed before Naruto and Korra received word that Tenzin would be arriving soon. It was Katara who brought them the good news.
Naruto had already been informed that he would be going as well, eliminating the need for him to coerce or sneak his way to Republic City.
The pair of them were told to be packed and ready by late afternoon and the meet Katara in the main courtyard for Tenzin's arrival.
Naruto was standing closer than usual at Korra's side when he first saw them.
Off in the distance a black dot in the sky began to take shape. Though he had never seen one before, Naruto knew that he was looking at one of the Air Nomad's famed Sky Bison, marvellous animals that despite their huge bulk could fly with apparent ease.
As she had met the man before, Korra had told Naruto what to expect from Tenzin, a serious and dull, but also kind man. Apparently he, much like his father Aang, had been the last Airbender in the world until he had three children.
As the Bison drew nearer, Naruto could hear what he could only assume was one of Tenzin's kids. He smiled warmly at the sound.
"-there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? It looks like we're here, I know because this looks very familiar." shouted a young girls voice.
The Bison was close enough now that Naruto could make out a handful of shapes on its back, sitting in a giant saddle. He spotted who he could only assume was Tenzin himself sitting on the great beasts head, a small clump of orange sitting on the man's head.
"Are we here yet? Are we here yet? Oooh, please tell me that we're here!" the girl continued and as the Bison landed only a few metres away from him Naruto could hear Tenzin's long and drawn out sigh.
"Yes Ikki, as I've been telling you for the last fifteen minutes, we are finally here." said Tenzin, his tone that of a defeated man.
Naruto noticed that the shape atop his head was moving and he soon realised, with no small amount of confusion, that it was in fact a young boy. A young boy who was….trying to eat Tenzin's bald head.
As they moved closer two young girls jumped from the Bison's saddle and slid down its tail, as squeal of excitement escaping the mouth of the younger sibling as they rode on small spheres of Air.
It was Katara who moved forward to greet them first.
"Hello mother, I can't tell you how good it is to see you." said Tenzin as his three children clung to him, the boy sitting on his shoulders had begun to pull the man's big ears back and forth and Naruto almost had to cover his mouth to stop himself from laughing out loud.
"Please…Help me." he whispered to his mother. Katara only laughed and reached for the boy on Tenzin's shoulders.
The boy, now in her arms, shook himself violently in an attempt to escape.
"Unhand me strange woman!" he cried out, his voice layered in imagined authority, causing the old woman to laugh slightly. Once again, Tenzin sighed.
"Meelo, that's your Grandmother, don't say such things." he said as the boy freed himself from Katara's clutches and after running a full circle around her, ran back behind his father.
Katara seemed undeterred by Meelo's strange behaviour as she moved to stand before the eldest of the two girls who was smiling up at the woman with something akin to reverence.
"It's so good to finally see all of you again." said Katara.
"Gran-Gran, I've been reading all about your old adventures. I've been dying to ask you, what happened to Zuko's mother?" asked the girl innocently causing Katara's smile to widen a little.
"Well Jinora, it's an incredible tale.." she began but was almost immediately interrupted by Ikki who began jumping up and down in her Grandmother's face with a bright smile on her face.
"Gran-Gran you look old. Just how old are you? And why's it so cold in the South Pole? Can we make a campfire and all huddle around it and tell scary stories and make snowmen? And then can you make the snowmen move with Waterbending and chase us? Wouldn't that be fun? Huh, wouldn't it?" she started, firing off question after question and Naruto was having trouble keeping track of them all.
Katara stared down at the young girl, he face blank as she too tried to process the mass of information that had spilled from Ikki's mouth. Standing beside her, Jinora hung her head, obviously sad that she wouldn't be getting the story from Katara.
Behind them Naruto noticed a woman slowly making her was down the Bison's tail, the large swell of her stomach indicating her advanced pregnancy. It seemed Tenzin had noticed her as well as he rushed to help her.
"Here, let me help you Pema." he said as he took her arm and helped her to the ground.
"Stop dotting on me," the woman said in exasperation, "I'm not helpless, just pregnant." she said as she cradled her stomach. Katara moved to embrace the woman, laying a hand on her stomach after a short hug.
"The baby is strong," she said with no small hint of pride in her tone, "I sense another Airbender on the way. The woman's face fell immediately.
"All I want is one child like me, a nice, non-bender that doesn't blow wind in my face every five minutes." she said. Beside her Tenzin looked away, stroking his beared with a look of feigned innocence on his face.
Almost as if planned for just that moment, Meelo called out to his. He had somehow in the space of thirty seconds, completely covered himself in a thick layer of snow.
"Mommy, look! I'm a Snow-Bender!" she shouted before a nearly invisible sphere of air erupted from his form, blasting the snow that covered him in all directions.
Naruto was forced to duck to avoid being hit but the boy's mother was not so lucky. Most of her hair and face were now covered in the cold powder. Both Naruto and Korra had to restrain themselves from breaking out into laughter.
After shaking all of the snow from her head, Pema looked back to Katara.
"Where Tenzin's sibling this crazy when they were young?" she asked. Katara chuckled slightly under her breath before she answered.
"Kya and Bumi certainly were but Tenzin has always been, somewhat serious." he said, earning a deadpanned look from her son.
"Mother, please." he said quietly in annoyance. It was then that he looked over Katara's shoulder and noticed Korra and Naruto standing side by side. His mood brightened visibly.
"Korra?" he called out and she jogged forward to greet him, Naruto moving as well to keep pace.
"Look at you, so big and strong. You've grown into quite the young Avatar." he said before his eyes drifted to Naruto.
"And who is this? I don't believe we've met before young man." he said. Naruto stepped forward, holding his hand out to the man.
"Naruto Uzumaki, Master Tenzin. It's an honour to meet you." he said as Tenzin shook the offered hand, his eyes drifting over Naruto's attire and raised a brow.
"The pleasure is all mine. You certainly are a bit young for the White Lotus if you don't mind me saying. How exactly did you gain membership?" he asked. Naruto, completely unoffended, went to answer but was interrupted as Ikki slid in between himself and Tenzin.
"Ooh, I know! Are you Korra's boyfriend? I bet you are." said the little girl and Naruto almost chocked on air, Korra wasn't much better.
"Ah, no-I'm-uh.." he spluttered out, failing miserably at forming a coherent sentence due to his embarrassment. Luckily Katara came to his rescue.
"Naruto came to us almost six months ago, not long after your last visit. Since then he's been Korra's training partner, helping her master Firebending. He's quite the prodigy I must say." she said and Naruto blushed a little from her praise.
"Ah, yes. An old friend of mine used to be a member of the Order. Before he passed he told me I should join, and, well I did. As Master Katara said, I met Korra not long after that. I guess we're just close friends is all." he said, praying that Ikki wouldn't ask any more stupid questions.
"So you're a Firebender then?" Tenzin asked unnecessarily. Naruto shifted on his feet uncomfortably for a moment and he was acutely aware of Korra's eyes on him.
"Among other things, yeah." he answered. Though he had promised Korra that Tenzin would be the first person other than herself to find out about his ability to Airbend, he still hadn't planned exactly how to tell the man. It would certainly be an interesting conversation.
Korra moved forward and embraced Tenzin in a warm hug.
"Master Tenzin, I'm so glad you're finally here. I can't wait to get to Republic City and start my Airbending training." she said with a bright smile on her face. When Naruto saw Tenzin's expression change to one of guilt, he knew something was wrong. His wife looked up at him with an apologetic look on her face.
"You knew you were going to have to tell her sooner or later." she said. It didn't take Naruto long to figure out what she meant. Korra was a little slower on the uptake, her face scrunching up in confusion. Naruto stepped forward slightly.
"You're not taking Korra back to Republic City with you." he stated, leaving no room for argument. Tenzin looked at him before sighing heavily.
"I'm afraid so. We've only come to stay the night and we're leaving in the morning. I'm sorry Korra but you won't be coming back with us." he said.
"No, I'm supposed to move to Air Temple Island with you, you're supposed to teach me Airbending." said Korra, obviously upset.
Tenzin placed a hand on her shoulder to comfort her.
"I'm sorry Korra but your Airbending training will have to wait." he said sadly. Katara was wise enough to diffuse the situation before it spiralled out of control.
"We can talk more about this over dinner," she said gaining everyone's attention, "Let's go inside before it really starts to get cold."
Tenzin and his family moved to follow Katara but Korra remained rooted to the ground, forcing Naruto to give her arm a light shake before she fell in beside him as they made their way to the dining hall.
"So how long is it going to be before I can come to Republic City and start my Airbending training? A week? A Month?" asked Korra desperately. Once again Tenzin sighed and Naruto was beginning to think that it was his default manoeuvre to dealing with situations he didn't like.
Naruto sat beside Korra at the large table, various plates of food spread out across its surface. Tenzin's wife had taken the children off to bed some time ago and only a handful of people remained.
"In all likelihood, it could be much longer." he said. At least he sounds genuinely upset, thought Naruto. Korra's mood was declining the more she spoke with the man.
"Tenzin I don't understand. Why are you making me wait? Why can't I come back to Air Temple Island with you?" she asked desperately. Naruto chose to remain silent, content to watch the conversation play out and then act accordingly.
"I have a responsibility to Republic City Korra; I'm one of its leaders. The situation in the city is very…..unstable right now." he replied and Naruto didn't fail to notice the hesitation in his voice.
"But you also have a responsibility to Me." said Korra, her anger slowly rising. "As the Avatar I have to master all four elements. I can't do that until you teach me Airbending. I'd love to find another Airbending Master but there isn't one, you're it."
Korra leaned over and rested her head on the table.
"Can I at least leave the South Pole while I wait for you to teach me?" she asked hopefully. The White Lotus elder from her Firebending test slammed his fist into the table.
"Absolutely not! It's too dangerous for you to go wandering around before you've finished your training." he said, no small amount of anger seeping into his usually calm tone.
"I'd be with her. She wouldn't be in any danger." said Naruto, earning a grateful smile from Korra. The elder snorted.
"Forgive me child but the thought of you two gallivanting across the Four Nations doesn't encourage me in the slightest. Avatar Aang tasked us to keep you safe whilst you mastered the four elements." he said and Naruto chose that as his cue to finally get a little angry.
"No. Avatar Aang tasked us with guiding and teaching Korra, not to keep her locked up at the ass end of the world where she can't help anyone but your own antiquated sense of honour and self-aggrandisement." he said, his voice almost becoming a growl towards the end.
The elder's face flushed red with anger but Tenzin was quick to interrupt whatever outburst was coming.
"I know this must be difficult for you to accept Korra, but now is not the right time for you to come to Republic City." he said in a poor attempt to bring Korra over to his side. Needless to say, it didn't work.
"Whatever!" said Korra, giving up on the conversation and getting to her feet, stomping over to the door and slamming it behind her. A moment of heavy silence passed between the three of them before Naruto spoke.
"What's really going on in Republic City?"
When Naruto failed to find Korra in the morning he only knew of one place she would have gone considering her mood last night.
He set off across the snowy tundra on foot before eventually reaching the end of the glacier, our spot he thought.
"You're up early." he called out as he came up behind her. Korra was sitting cross-legged on Naga's back as she stared out to open sea. She made no move at the sound of his voice. Naruto had to move to stand next to her before she finally spoke.
"It's just not fair. For all my life I've been stuck down here in the South Pole and my one chance to get away is about to fly away overhead." she said bitterly and as if on cue Naruto could suddenly hear the low grunts of a Tenzin's Bison as it passed over them.
When Naruto looked over at Korra he could clearly see the determined look in her eye and he smiled.
"You know," he said, finally gaining her attention, "From what I understand, the night security for at the docks is fairly lax." he explained before turning about and pretending to start the journey back to the compound.
"Of course, I probably shouldn't be saying any of this so just forget what I said." He didn't get very far before he could feel Naga's heavy footfalls behind him and a strong arm pulled him upwards. Naruto could only laugh alongside Korra as they sped back home.
That night found the pair of them sneaking around the compound, pilfering whatever supplies they could without being seen before making their way to The Den.
Naruto had chosen to abandon his usual White Lotus attire in favour of something slightly less conspicuous. After he had first arrived at the compound Katara had taken it upon herself to 'mend' the clothes Iroh had given him in the Spirit World.
She had continually claimed that they were far too large for someone of Naruto's size and as a result had slimmed the outfit down considerably. From the waist down he still wore the pants and armoured boots of the White Lotus, only they had been dyed to match his other clothes.
Naga was waiting eagerly for them both and Korra was quick to place the saddle on her back. Naruto was immediately on guard when he heard the faint sound of soft boots coming down the stairs behind him. He turned quickly only to see it was Katara.
"A nice night for an escape isn't it?" she said in an amused tone and Korra nearly jumped out of her boots in fright. Katara simply stood at the base of the steps, her usual kind smile on her lips.
"We have to leave Katara. I have to find my own path as the Avatar." said Korra seemingly trying to guilt the old woman into letting her go. Naruto could already see that it was pointless, Katara's mind had been made up for a while it seemed.
"I know." she said, her smile growing even brighter. "Aang's time has passed. My brother and many of my friends are gone. It's time for your generation to take on the responsibility of keeping peace and bringing balance to the world. I think you're going to be a great Avatar." she said reassuringly.
Katara opened her arms wide and embraced Korra in a tight hug.
"Thank you." Korra muttered softly. Katara's eyes moved to glance at Naruto.
"Now, you keep Korra safe won't you Naruto?" she said, a genuine smirk on her face. Fully understanding her meaning Naruto blushed slightly, scratching the back of his head lightly before laughing.
"Please, if the world's greatest Firebender can't keep her safe, who can?" he said, trying to seem as cool as possible. Katara only smiled at the pair of them.
"Good bye, both of you."
With Naga's impressive ability to dig coupled with Korra's Waterbending, they soon made quick work of their escape. They had tunnelled from The Den until they were well outside the walls of the compound.
Korra wanted to see her parent before she left and Naruto wasn't about to stop her. Naga's rapid pace soon brought them to the outskirts of the Southern Water Tribes main city where Tonraq and Senna lived in a small but humble building.
Korra spent a few minutes talking with her parents as Naruto sat silently atop Naga before her father made his way over to him. Naruto had never felt comfortable around the man, he was so physically imposing and he always seemed to be judging him for whatever reason.
"You will keep my daughter safe." he said and Naruto immediately realised that it was a question, but a statement.
"Of course I will sir. Nothing will get in the way of that, I am her body-guard after all." he said, laughing slightly as he tried to ease the tension between the two of them.
Tonraq stared at him for a long moment before a small smile broke out on his usually stoic face.
"Good man." he said as he clasped Naruto's forearm tightly with one of his huge hands.
When Korra finally left the embrace of her mother, she was not sad as he had expected, but happy. A bright smile was plastered across her face as she led Naga down the long hill and towards the docks far below.
As Naruto had said, the security guarding the cargo ships was nothing short of abysmal, at least for people with Naruto and Korra's training. Within a few minutes Naruto had found them a secluded space in the cargo hold where they would be able to spend the three day trip in peace.
The pair of them used Naga as a bed, propping themselves up against her warm fur as the Polar-Bear Dog slept. Naruto closed his eyes as he listened to the calming sound of the beast's rhythmic breathing.
"Well, we're once step closer to finally learning Airbending and you're one step closer to becoming the greatest Avatar to ever walk the earth." he said proudly. His only response was the loud snoring of the girl lying beside him.
He opened an eye to see Korra fast asleep already. Chuckling softly, Naruto shook he head and rolled onto his side.
It would be a long trip, but the destination was well worth the wait. Despite what he had learned from Tenzin the night before Naruto knew that going to Republic City would be a turning point in Korra's life as the Avatar.
Whoever this Amon ass-hole is he'd better stay the hell away from Korra. Thought Naruto as he drifted off to sleep.